Storm Blow Express Off Playoff Railroad

Hello time traveller!!
This article is 4034 days old.
The information listed below is likely outdated and has been preserved for archival purposes.

An incredible and surreal season has come to an end for the Windsor Express tonight in Summerside. The Storm were too strong, offensively and defensively, as they knocked the Express out of the NBL Playoffs. Summerside eliminated Windsor, winning 109-103 in game 5 of their best-of-five semi-final series.

The crowd was raucous in P.E.I., sporting white to support their team’s white out. Windsor coach Bill Jones made note of the fans before the game, and told his players to “play through the crowd, play through the frustrations.”

For most of the game, the Express did play through the crowd and frustrations. Windsor was always in the game, even when the team was down. However, Summerside sank 3-pointers all night which subsequently sank the Express. The Storm scored 50% of their baskets from the outside.

In the first half, just like they’d done in previous games, the Storm took off. Early 3-pointers established a solid lead, but Windsor wasn’t backing down. The Express had brought the game to within one at the end of the first quarter. Again though, Summerside pushed forward. The Atlantic team played hard in the paint and scored some key baskets. What was once a 1-point disadvantage for Windsor had turned into an 8-point deficit at halftime.

The Storm had not subsided between the halves. Early in the third quarter, Summerside built a mountainous 13-point lead. The Express’ obstacle grew; they were down 87-76 heading into the final quarter of the series. Windsor was not ready to quit as the players returned to the court for the fourth. Windsor’s offense began to move, little by little. Basket by basket, the Express inched forward and narrowed the gap. With just a few minutes to play, and coming within a couple of points, Darren Duncan tied it up at 100 with a pair of foul shots. Summerside scored the next six with time running out, but Greg Surmacz’s three made the game a one-possession lead. Unluckily for Windsor, the Storm grabbed an offensive rebound and added another late basket. Summerside would hold on and storm past Windsor as the Express fell 109-103.

On the night, for Windsor, Mike Helms led with 23 points. DeAndre Thomas scored 19 points. Greg Surmacz had 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Darren Duncan had 12 points and 10 assists.

The Express Nation thanked the Express via Facebook and Twitter for an excellent season. Windsor is certainly proud.